Your Thoughts on Water. Fresh to Salt ?

[Scream311]

Ok so I got rid of the livestock in my 90 Cube and now its time to start the planning and cycling of the water into Salt.

My question is, what do you think of using the "Fresh" water that's already in the tank with "Live" Bacteria and (just Adding Salt) or will the Fresh Bacteria be Bad for a Newly Cycled "Salt Water" setup ?

Personally I think this may be a bad idea as the bacteria in the water now may cause high Nitrates *however the tank has been BARE BOTTOM as a Fresh water setup. So I was thinking just to syphon up any detrius off the bottom and then LayDown a thin later of New Substrate and then convert water into Salt.

Ideas, concerns, opinions ?

[Regric25]

If you are going to let it cycle completley then I dont see a problem with it. The bacteria as you probably already know may not survive the conversion. So as long as you are not doing it in hopes of having an instantly cycled tank then I dont see how it would be an issue.

If it were me though personally I would use freshly filtered RODI water to make up the saltwater. That way it starts off fresh and clean from the get go.

[jroescher]

I would guess that the bacteria in freshwater is not the same as saltwater, and would died off as soon as salt is added. RO is cheap. I wouldn't risk it. You'll feel better starting with a clean tank.

[Scream311]

If you are going to let it cycle completley then I dont see a problem with it. The bacteria as you probably already know may not survive the conversion. So as long as you are not doing it in hopes of having an instantly cycled tank then I dont see how it would be an issue.

If it were me though personally I would use freshly filtered RODI water to make up the saltwater. That way it starts off fresh and clean from the get go.

Not intending on complete inital cycle but rather a boost to speed things up.
And I agree on the second comment. "Better Clean and Safe then Dirty and Sorry"


I would guess that the bacteria in freshwater is not the same as saltwater, and would died off as soon as salt is added. RO is cheap. I wouldn't risk it. You'll feel better starting with a clean tank.

My concern is just that. If the fresh bacteria were to die off as in will I'm sure. Would that cause a Spike in Nitrate or anything else. Delaying the cycle even further ?
Again yea thinking its best to play it safe and just start with some fresh Ro

[allan]

times two on johns recomendation...

Especially since you're going to turn that into a clam tank. :D

[Scream311]

Haha that Would be suuuuuuuwwwweeeeettt Allan !

Have been throwing it up the air with the Wife.
First she wanted an Octpus Tank and now that she's seen JellyFish she wants that lol
I was leaning towards a School of some sort
BUT now that you've said Clam........ hmmm

Thanks Rick, John, and Allan I think ill go Slow here and Drain that tank water and do things properly. Gonna plan this one out fully

[allan]

I saw a octopus at AD's the other day... in fact I think they had two. The only problem that I have with them is that they are nocturnal. In order to really enjoy them you would probably have to keep it on a reverse cycle from the rest of your tank and leave out the moons during the day so you can see them moving around.

Nothing about jellyfish sounds fun, but Clams, especially the big ones, take a lot of nitrates out of your water... should you plumb them together.

[Scream311]

Moon lights as well as some nice hiding places like a large shell for an Octo as they are real timid and easily threatned.

Jellyfish. Don't wanna have to stick my hands in for any type of maintenance.

Clams tank. Yea your rite allan. I contemplated combining both tanks into the 110 Sump below the 210 but that water is sooo nasty from all of the LARGE fish in the Fowlr that it wouldn't be a bad idea to keep clams in the 90. I do however have a 30gal under the 90 that has been acting as a sump for the freshwater setup so I'm half way there to using this as its on isloated system.

Not sure how hardy a clam species might take to dirty water ?

[Europhyllia]

jelly tanks are awesome!

what are the dimensions of a 90g cube?

(oh and don't be such a cheapo -get new water... geesh...)

[Scream311]

Well its Almost a Cube its 90gallons - 30L x 24W x 28h (1/2" glass)

And LoL Cheap and Lazy lol no I was just trying to Consere Some water. I discharge sooo much EVERY week 30gallons out of the 210 and 15 out of the 125 Reef. That adds up Quick !

[hobogato]

actually, there are diurnal octo species. takes a very specialized setup with specialized food. and dont forget about the short lifespan. they are very interactive and it is difficult to watch them go thru senescence.

if you are really interested, you may check out tonmo.com - a forum dedicated to cephs.

[Scream311]

Thanks for the helpful Link Ace. And yea so sad after I told my wife that there life span is a yr she about teared up. Just the thought of building a relationship with a Unique creature only for your time to be Limited together...

[Europhyllia]

Seahorses!!!

I love my seahorses and their lifespan is 5-10 years for the larger species. Just imagine: never having to catch a fish with a net again.

They wrap their tails around my fingers to hold on when I had to move them. They are fun to watch when they get live food. They are eating their frozen food from a bowl like kittens.

They come dance at the glass when we sit down at the table beside them.

It's tough to remember they're fish - they are just so magical and different...